Cardinal baseball has tough task in replacing four all-league performers

Medical Lake's baseball program is coming off a successful 2006 season in which it finished 13-9 and earned a share of the Great Northern League title.

This season's team, however, will be working without five talented seniors lost to graduation. Gone is All-GNL first team pitcher Ryan Reitmeier and three second team choices—first baseman Kyle Erickson, pitcher Jon O'Connor and outfielder Justin Propeck.

ML starts over at many positions this spring. First-year skipper T.J. Smith is working with 10 first-time varsity players and, naturally, is a bit unsure of...